National Biomechanics Day is Thursday (April 6), a world-wide event for high-school teachers and students to advance the science and education of human biomechanics.

This year’s theme is, “Science Meets Fun on National Biomechanics Day.” The Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) Department has collaborated with several departments across campus to invite local students to engage in fun, hands-on activities focused on biomechanics research.

Students will start their visit with KIP faculty, Steve Elmer and Tejin Yoon. Elmer will engage students in building a wooden apparatus that they will use to investigate the influence of rotational inertia on turning performance. To do this students will navigate a slalom course with and without the wooden apparatus. Yoon will demonstrate the many tools used to analyze and describe human motion during exercise, and students will even get a chance to test their strength compared to Michigan Tech football players.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit additional biomechanics laboratories across campus. Physical Therapist, Caroline Gwaltney, and several Central Michigan University doctorate of physical therapy students will demonstrate how foot position can alter posture.

Students will also make imprints of their foot type and analyze how different foot type impacts movement across multiple joints.

In Mo Rastgaar’s (MEEM) HIROlab, students will place EMG sensors on their arms and move a robotic arm, as well as investigate an agile robotic prosthesis as it moves on a circular treadmill.

Finally, students will wear trackable sensors to experiment with creating sound from their own movement and dance in Myounghoon “Philart” Jeon’s (CLS) Mind Music and Machine lab.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday with lab activities scheduled to begin at 9:10 a.m.

The KIP Fall 2016 Seminar Series will kick off on Friday, September, 30 with Dr. Stephen DiCarlo, professor in the School of Medicine at Wayne State University.

Friday, September 30
3:00 – 4:00 pm
ATDC, 101

His work focuses on shifting information distribution from a teacher-centered based approach so that students become “active learners.”  He has received numerous awards for his teaching including the Claude Bernard Distinguished Lecturer award from the American Physiological Society.

Abstract: Too Much Content, Not Enough Thinking, and Too Little FUN!
Henry Ford, stated “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is why so few people engage in it.” This is also true in the classroom where the content driven curriculum leaves little time for thinking. In this setting, information is transferred from the notes of one person to the notes of another person without going through the minds of either person. That is, we spend too little time thinking about the information. This is important because active processing of information, not just passive reception of that information, leads to learning. Specifically, we understand the information we think about because understanding is the residue of thinking. Therefore, we will discuss strategies to create a joy, an excitement, and a love for learning. By making learning fun, our students will be impatient to run home, study, and contemplate–to really learn.

*This is a co-sponsored event with William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).  Dr. DiCarlo will also deliver a lunchtime presentation and hands on workshop on Thursday, September 29.  Both events can be found on the Michigan Tech Events Calendar or clicking on the links provided.

A message from Dr. Elmer, Interim Department Chair:

KIP Undergraduate Students,

Are you an extremely motivated student? Take a big leap forward with the Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s (BS-MS) program!

The Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology will hold a brief informational session this week on our Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s (BS-MS) program. This new accelerated degree plan allows you to combine a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Tech in exercise science or sports and fitness management with a coursework-based master’s degree in kinesiology (4 + 1 = 5 years total). Together, the two degrees help students strengthen their admission applications to professional graduate programs (e.g., medical school, physical therapy school) and gain a competitive edge for a careers in industry (e.g., cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning).

Current undergraduate students (2nd, 3rd, and especially 4th year) who are interested are strongly encouraged to attend one of the informational sessions next week (see below). After a brief overview of the program students will have time to meet with current graduate students in the program, see a hands-on demonstration of new department equipment used in research and teaching (ultrasound machine), and network with other graduate students pursuing careers in academics and physical therapy.

Kinesiology Accelerated master’s (BS-MS) Program
Information Sessions

Wednesday March 23
6:00 – 6:30pm
SDC Room P105 (Exercise Science Classroom/Lab)

Friday March 25
2:30 – 3:00pm
SDC Room P105 (Exercise Science Classroom/Lab)

*Refreshments will be provided, please RSVP by contacting the KIP Main Office (SDC 231).

http://www.mtu.edu/kip/graduate/accelerated/

Several graduate students working in KIP laboratories presented their research at the GSG Graduate Research Colloquium last week.  Great job to all that presented and congratulations to the students that received awards.

Graduate Student Presenters
Robert Larson – PhD student (Chen Lab)
Matthew Kilgas – PhD student (Elmer Lab)
Lydia Lytle and Jennifer Dannenbring – DPT students (Elmer Lab)
Michael Huber – MS student (Shan Lab)
Travis Wakeham – MS student (Durocher Lab) and collaborating with KIP faculty
Ida Fonkoue – PhD student (Carter Lab) did not present but was instrumental in helping organize the event for GSG

Graduate Student Awards

• Matthew Kilgas and Travis Wakeham both received the Highest Attended Presentation Award.

• Lydia Lytle and Jennifer Dannenbring earned 2nd place for their poster presentation.

• Lydia Lytle also received a Graduate Student Service Award for her dedication and contributions in GSG.

• Travis Wakeham won 1st place for his oral presentation. He also received an Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award.

Body Positivity Presentation

by Amber Leonard Thome (KIP Dept.)